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POLITICS

Macron spends whopping €26,000 on makeup in just three months

Emmanuel Macron might be the youngest ever president in French history, but that doesn't mean he's above using professional help to keep up appearances.

Macron spends whopping €26,000 on makeup in just three months
French President Emmanuel Macron pictured on Friday. Photo: AFP

In fact, he has racked up a €26,000 bill for makeup during his first three months as leader, according to a report in Le Point on Thursday.

The report said Macron's makeup artist, named only as Natacha M, had invoiced the Elysée Palace twice, once for €10,000 and once for €16,000.

But presidential aides jumped to his defence, saying that the contractor had been called in “as a matter of urgency” and that spending on makeup would be “significantly reduced” in the future.

Officials also noted that Macron had spent less on makeup than previous presidents and does not keep a makeup artist on staff.

Macron's predecessor, François Hollande, was also criticized for his attempt to keep up appearances after a report revealed his barber was paid €10,000 each month for the presidential hairdo. That amounted to only €5,000 less than the president's own monthly salary.

The barber's lawyer justified the large salary, saying the hairdresser had “missed the birth of his own children, their broken arms, their operations” due to his dedication to his job.

The news comes as polls show Macron's popularity has fallen drastically since he first swept to victory.

The latest figures show that just 36 percent of the French have a positive view of their president, while 49 view him negatively – a rise of 13 points since his May election.

READ ALSO: After 100 days, have the French already fallen out of love with Macron?

POLITICS

French forces smash roadblocks in bid to clear key New Caledonia road

French forces smashed through about 60 road blocks to clear the way from conflict-stricken New Caledonia's capital to the airport but have still not reopened the route, a top government official said Sunday.

French forces smash roadblocks in bid to clear key New Caledonia road

And after six nights of violence that has left six dead and hundreds injured, security forces will launch “harrassment” raids to reclaim other parts of the Pacific territory, the French government representative in New Caledonia, Louis Le Franc, said in a televised address.

“Republican order will be re-established whatever the cost,” Le Franc, the central government’s high commissioner, warned radicals behind the violence.

The Pacific archipelago of 270,000 people has been convulsed by unrest since Monday, sparked by French plans to impose new voting rules that would give tens of thousands of non-indigenous residents voting rights.

READ ALSO: France mounts ‘major operation’ to open route to New Caledonia’s restive capital

The territory has long suffered from ethnic tensions and opposition to French rule by Kanak groups.

Authorities said 600 heavily armed police took part in an operation Sunday to retake the 60-kilometre (40-mile) main road from Noumea to the airport that has been closed to commercial flights since the unrest erupted.

The local government estimates around 3,200 people are either stuck in New Caledonia or unable to return there from abroad since flights have been cancelled.

Australia and New Zealand have been pressing France for clearance to launch evacuation flights for their citizens.

Le Franc said about 60 roadblocks put up by pro-independence groups had been “broken through” without violence.

But the official added that the route was full of wrecks of cars, burned wood and metal which had only been cleared at 15 of the roadblocks. Le Franc said the road was also damaged in several places.

READ MORE: Explained: What’s behind the violence on French island of New Caledonia?

AFP journalists on the road found some roadblocks had been re-established by separatists, although they were eventually able to reach the airport.

Le Franc said police units would launch “harrassment operations” in coming hours to retake “hardcore” areas in Noumea and the towns of Dumbea and Paita.

“It is going to intensify in coming days” in zones held by independence activists, said Le Franc. “If they want to use their arms, they will be risking the worst.”

“I want to tell the rioters: stop, return to calm, give up your arms,” added Le Franc, saying the crisis remained “unprecedented” and “grave”.

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